Might and magic, Lords of the Contested Lands

Game Master Chyrone

Whoops, sorry.

Strom grimaces and swings his chain-flail at the dwarf next to him, frustrated that he cannot bring his foe down.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12

"Now stay down!"

As Strom lowers his weapon in start of a swing, Estelle's strike had already killed the guy. Instead, the attack goes against Copperneck, and hits!

The guy grunts, and his gaze now focuses on Strom.
Severa casts silent image, and conjures an emancipated and ghostly version of the red dwarf on the floor. Which accusingly points at Copperneck.

Lady Greenbriar touches a new pendant she's wearing. Strom recognizes the fashion of it, of being make of Zahfir & Darius' combined work.
It emits an image of a green thorny vine attempting to wrap itself around Copperneck.

Will, dwarf: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21, his will perseveres.
"Nice trinket, Greenbriar, but it's not enough."
----------------
Yellow invokes a spell from a patron, stepping 5ft towards Copperneck to place it upon him.
% for immediate apply: 1d100 ⇒ 78
Copperneck's muscles start bulging.

End of turn vs blinded, dwarf: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25
The guy recovers his sight.
===================================

Team to the rescue, round 6

Copperneck (-12) makes a swing against Strom in retaliation.
Axe, dazzled: 1d20 + 12 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 - 1 = 20Dmg: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
The wound he causes Strom is grievous, and it leaves his outfit stained red with his blood.
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Astella
Daniel & Estelle-bot

Strom & Severa
Lady Greenbriar
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Yellow (-9)

Astella continues to sing, moving a little to get a better shot and then attacks Copperneck.

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 8 (inspire courage, point blank shot)
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 9 (inspire courage, point blank shot)

Seriously, dicebot hates me.

Estelle-bot will move over to heal up Robin.

Law of averages will reward us in the afterlife.

"ARRHH!" Strom shouts, staggered by the blow that nearly cut him down.

Ha ha. Indeed. I don't think that this adventure continues into the afterlife, but I am sure that it will be good. :)

Longsword inspired, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 20Dmg, pa, inspired: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7
Daniel manages to add some injury to Copperneck.

Strom & Severa
Lady Greenbriar
-------
Yellow (-9)

Daniel lashes out at copperneck, having had enough of just allowing him to do as he pleased.

attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13

Would anyone bot Strom & Severa? I'll move us forward tonight, if we are at this turn still by then.

Severa conjures a cube of whirling daggers around yellow to wall him off from Copperneck! The sound of daggers whistling through the air adds weight to the illusion.

Minor image. DC 17 will save to disbelieve that can be rolled if interacted with. Basically four walls and a roof around yellow of whistling, spinning, whirling daggers. Kind of like blade barrier in the intended illusion.

Injured as he is, Strom steps forward to attack Copperneck.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16 Damage: 1d10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12

Apologies, I thought that was Estelle bot lol.

Severa, i'm uncertain if you can cast it to surround a square in that fashion. I'll say sure now, and get to learning more later.

"What the, hey Copperneck, ye've go' a wizard keen on knives as much as old Toby, back 20 years."

Strom's strike misses Copperneck, who pushes the weapon aside with the flat of his axe.

Lady Greenbriar strikes out with two punches and a knee.
Consecutive strikes, flank, inspired: 3d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1, 15, 17) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 42Dmg, inspired: 3d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1, 2) + 2 + 1 = 11 She hits him in the jaw and a knee to the gut thereafter.

9 damage to Copperneck.
------------------
Yellow tries stepping through the wall, having seen Estelle-bot move towards the downed Robin.
Will, dwarf: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11, yet the swirling knives seem real enough for him to hold his initial move.
He tries again, Will, dwarf: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12, but yet again his mind keeps him from stepping through.

======================================

Team to the rescue, round 7

Copperneck (-28) tilts his head back briefly, then swings his forehead towards Strom's face.
Headbutt: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31Dmg, nl: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Not confirmed.
He hits Strom square in the face, who passes out on the floor.

"Don't misunderstand," as he looks downwards. "Captives are much less messy te move than corpses.", and he proceeds to step into the square occupied by two unconscious forms.
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Astella & Estelle-bot
Daniel & Brunhild-bot[/b]

Strom (unconscious) & Severa
Lady Greenbriar
----------------------------
Yellow (-9)
---------------

Astella continues to sing as she jumps lightly down and moves into a better position from which to skewer Copperneck.

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 17 (inspire courage, point blank shot)
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8 (inspire courage, point blank shot)

_____

Is Robin okay/stable now? The turn before Estelle-bot channeled and moved out of danger (5 foot step), so she should have been able to move and heal this last turn *before* Copperneck moved into that space, right? (The Lucerne Hammer move was an AOO.) I think she can turn any spell into a healing spell if I remember playing a cleric correctly (been a while), but uncertain. Sorry if I am botting her badly.

Estelle-bot swings her Lucerne Hammer at Copperneck.

Lucerne Hammer: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 (inspire)
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14 (inspire)

Is Robin okay/stable now? The turn before Estelle-bot channeled and moved out of danger (5 foot step), so she should have been able to move and heal this last turn *before* Copperneck moved into that space, right? (The Lucerne Hammer move was an AOO.) I think she can turn any spell into a healing spell if I remember playing a cleric correctly (been a while), but uncertain. Sorry if I am botting her badly.

Robin is stable but still unconscious. She took that heavy hit at the start. Estelle-bot moving directly to the left, would have provoked from Copperneck, unless a withdraw action made her take a few squares detour. Without a roll for healing, that is what i assumed was the intention. If that is what you would prefer, then she could have given up a spell for a cure spell. But if playing safe, then she hadn't yet. Up to you.

It's fine. Just a waste of a turn. If I had realized that she was still next to Copperneck then she should at least have attacked him even if she couldn't get to Robin safely. I'm mucking up the botting stuff.

Astella's new position lines a a near clear line of sight of Copperneck.
The arrow comes very close, but with the movement after the punch and kick Lady Greenbriar gave him, the arrow misses the target.
It flies past him, and ends up in the wall.

Estelle-bot's swing is less accurate. It is by no means poor in force, but it does not come near hitting the stubborn criminal.

Daniel & Brunhild-bot
-----------------------
Strom (unconscious) Severa
Lady Greenbriar
----------------------------
Yellow (-9)
---------------

Daniel & Severa, i'll move us forward later tonight.

I'll race you. I can take my action tonight.

Severa drops her concentration on her illusion but it still extends for a while. She casts a protective spell, causing the armor of a mage to shimmer around her.

[ooc]Minor image keeps lasting 2 rounds after concentration and my school choice gets a couple more rounds after that. I doubt we'll last that much longer.[/oo]c

Daniel and Brunhild focus their attacks on Copperneck with sword and arrow.

Sword, inspired, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 19Dmg, inspired: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13Miss.

Arrow, inspired: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26Dmg, inspired: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12
Arrow, inspired: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11Dmg, inspired: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11

Crit?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18Extra on confirm: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 4) + 12 = 24 Not confirmed.

Brunhild lands a hit for 12, no meager hit for sure.

Severa conjures forth some personal protection.

Lady Greenbriar swings her fists and a knee at him. As Copperneck starts to look pretty wounded himself, but still fit enough, she decides to go for nonlethal.

Strikes, inspired, flank: 3d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7, 16, 4) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 36Dmg,nl: 3d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 7) + 2 + 1 = 16
She hits him in the face for 7 nl damage.
----------------
Yellow (-9) tries stepping through again. Will, dwarf: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27 Pass. The guy manages to steel his resolve and disbelieves it properly. Stepping into a flank with Copperneck, he swings his morningstar at Daniel.
Morningstar, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Miss.

========================================

Team to the rescue, round 8

Copperneck (-40, 7nl) bites through the pain of the arrow in his shoulder, previously inflicted by Brunhild. Getting agitated, he resorts to more reckless tactics.

Daniel, Estelle: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Longaxe: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24Dmg: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Cleave @ Greenbriar: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26Dmg: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Sense motive vs cleave attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 No pass.

He makes a horizontal swing at Estelle, hitting her, which he pushes through with a continuation against Lady Greenbriar. She somehow was expecting something, but just not fast enough to avoid a grievous wound of her own.
The gash colors her already damaged dress dark red where the axe cut her side. She too, is looking pretty hurt now.

"Sellswords, jus' be wise folk and abandon this woman's folly of a vendetta. If it's money ye're lookin' for, leave the city and there'd be a nice sum in i' fer ye.", he steps away from the flank.
Still, the outburst of his swing seems to have put him slightly off-balance there. An opening, perhaps?

Astella & Estelle-bot
Daniel & Brunhild-bot
Severa

Lady Greenbriar
---------------
Yellow (-9)

Astella continues to sing and shoots again at Copperneck.

Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 21 (inspire courage, point blank shot)
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 13 (inspire courage, point blank shot)

_____

Ebot swings her Lucerne Hammer at Copperneck.

Lucerne Hammer: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 (inspire)
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11 (inspire)

While Estelle's flailing about with the hammer, Astella causes a prior repeating scene. Like with Strom, the strain of injury and bruising overcomes Copperneck's capacity to stay conscious.

"I' ain' over....a' all....Greenbriar...", and he drops to his knees, then passes out as he goes down on his side.

Lady Greenbriar tosses a stern glance at yellow, who drops his morningstar in silent resignation.

Combat over!

Estelle bot has 1 channel, 1d6 ⇒ 6
Excluding Copperneck, the healing wave brings back to Strom and Robin, who both sit back up.
Lady Greenbriar kneels down with the still injured but conscious girl, and pulls her into a tight hug. Great relief shows on Lady Greenbriar's face.

You see a surprised look on Robin's face, slightly blushing from the sign of affection in front of a number of strangers.
"Aunty.., erm ma'am? I'm glad te see ye again, bu' is tha' required in fron' of this many employees of yers?"

She is let go by a soft smiling Lady Greenbriar. "In this case, that's irrelevant. You're safe, that's what matters to me."
Lady Greenbriar stands up, looking to each of you. "Your timing was impeccable. I expected something like this to potentially happen some day, but not in this number or time. Thank you so much."

Surprised to be among the living, Strom rubs his aching head and sits upright. Sage limps over and falls against him and the dwarf runs his fingers through her matted fur.

"You're welcome, ah 'spose. You can begin to repay us by explaining who this fellow is and what he's doing here, aside from trying to kill ya."

Astella starts looting the bodies and tying up the prisoners, but she says

Can you explain a little more what we just ran into, Lady Greenbriar? How can we ensure that this does not happen again?

Is Lady Greenbriar's ring on any of the bodies or the living prisoners?

Is Lady Greenbriar's ring on any of the bodies or the living prisoners?

None have the ring on them. But the group's already deduced that her son is potentially involved. Also forgot to mention, the three 'regular' goons Robin and Lady Greenbriar took down before you entered, carry mundane versions. 3 regular daggers, 3 regular saps, 3 regular leather (non studded) armors.

To the inquiries from Astella and Strom,

"The other four of them have a general understanding," as she motions to the group save Severa and Strom, but i have a very personal interest in seeing the two gangs in the city gone. Foremost this meant finding out who killed my father. The wrong ones in charge of the investigation meant i would rely on private investigators."

She helps Robin up and lets the girl sit in a chair.

"This character Copperneck, from what i've heard before, is the 2nd man to the gang who prefer to use violent means in their work. The main man's name had not been discovered before. But Copperneck is a big fish, who supposedly does a lot of work 'outside of the office'. I can only assume that either you got very close to a sensitive operation, or disrupted their business enough for them to come after me personally."

"For which i would commend you. It means you've squeezed them considerably. And if their leading enforcer is here passed out, their hideout lacks the main muscle. Though he did mention he did not seek my death, but using me as a hostage for ransom, with additional unpleasant complications unmentioned."

She rubs her knuckles a bit, hitting Copperneck's face a few times, the guy must have a solid jaw. Still, with the sleeves torn off, she's definitely showing signs of training in self defense.

"After we, yes we, for the answers might interest you if he spills anything, are finished questioning him, i'll alert the guards to take him and his away. Oh, and have you seen my staff? My butler and a maid were downstairs."

Oh! We saw your butler down... he put up a good fight, but we didn't check to see if he was okay. We also heard some whimpering from a closet... could be the maid, either hiding or trapped... she may have taken out one of the goons with a large book. However, we were rushing to come and help you, and didn't stop for her either. Apologies.

Strom shakes his head, regrets it, then winces while his skull throbs. That he and Sage are still alive seems like a fluke, or an act of mercy, and he wonders why Copperneck did not kill him when he had the chance.

He's concerned that Lady Greenbriar intends to interrogate the prisoners without any of the group's supervision, but he has no agency to insist otherwise. Sore from the beating he took, and distressed at the condition of his animal companion, he musters himself, stows his chain-flail, and heeds the Lady's dismissal.

"Aye," is all he says in response.

Later he would find the time to consider the fight over a flight of dark ale.

He's concerned that Lady Greenbriar intends to interrogate the prisoners without any of the group's supervision, but he has no agency to insist otherwise.

"After we, yes we, for the answers might interest you if he spills anything, are finished questioning him, i'll alert the guards to take him and his away.

She had proposed a 'group interview' just now.

Severa explains "The maid was tied but is fine now."

Oh, good. Thank you.

____

Estelle-bot uses up any remaining spells to heal those that need it, including Strom.

I think Astella still has a Cure Light as well, Strom. If you want to roll it for yourself, you are welcome to it.

Daniel really didn't care for the withertos or the why-fores. As long as the men would be served a just punishment after all this trouble. He was just happy that most of those involved survived. And hoped that the butler downstairs still lived as well.

Perhaps, however we still need to finish preparing for our meeting as well. And I cannot condone unjust torture, whether it be deserved or not. He says more to the others, rather than to Greenbrair

Ever the student of rhetoric, Severa can't help but spark a brief discussion for sake of argument. "Excuse me but what would that mean? How could an instance of torture be both unjust and deserved at the same time? Or do you mean that no instance of torture is deserved because all torture is unjust?"

Wizard's gotta nerd.

Lady Greenbriar is very relieved to hear of the maid's well being, but is still concerned about her butler.

"Then i've got to see to his condition."

Daniel's barely veiled suggestion is not gone unnoticed.
While she looks for some means to proceed and help her butler, presumably, she responds.

"I am disappointed to hear you would think me the same as those savages."

She finds a potion and hurries herself out of the door and down the stairs. As she passes; "There aught be a number of spare leather belts in a drawer in that cabinet near you. If you would tie them up in the meantime, it'd be much appreciated."

For the next minute or so, you guys are left alone with Copperneck and the other guy, while Lady Greenbriar checks up on the two downstairs.

Anything before she returns?

Edit:

Ever the student of rhetoric, Severa can't help but spark a brief discussion for sake of argument. "Excuse me but what would that mean? How could an instance of torture be both unjust and deserved at the same time? Or do you mean that no instance of torture is deserved because all torture is unjust?"

Wizard's gotta nerd.

The last criminal that withheld information in the investigation, got most of his beard shaven off, and a few bits of his head, after insulting her and not wanting to answer questions in a civil manner. She does have a strong dislike for criminals, after all. Maybe it left more an impact on Daniel than i thought. ^^

it wasn't meant as much as a suggestion, as it was an upfront statement. A way to just go ahead and nip that potentiality in the bud so to speak. After all, emotions are likely much higher at the moment than they usually would be.

Daniel grimaces a bit before replying.

It wasn't meant in that way. It was merely meant to be a preemptive cut off to that potentiality, as much as it was a reminder. Shaving their beard is acceptable. I guess. Though I wonder if they would actually prefer the physical pain.

he then turns to Severa once she leaves.

The latter. Though some may argue the former, that is to say that torture can be justified, I do not agree with it nor shall I abide it. After all, we must set an example for those who are lost, not join them in the mist.

Strom pauses with the group, having misunderstood Lady G's intentions. He gratefully accepts the healing from Astella.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

"My thanks."

He has one of his own to cast as well, but he uses it on Sage.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The bobcat purrs, nearly back to its old self.

Strom watches the Lady rattle the jaw of the defenseless man and wonders at the point of it. He's about to intervene when she stops and heads downstairs to look after her hired man.

"Feelings run deep in this city," he observes. Then he proceeds to tie up Copperneck and the others that live and prepare them for whatever comes next.

Strom watches the Lady rattle the jaw of the defenseless man and wonders at the point of it. He's about to intervene when she stops and heads downstairs to look after her hired man.

Nothing of the sort is happening. My prior ooc was what she did to a criminal who robbed her, insulted her, and refused to talk. And off-screen made him end up in the authorities' hands afterwards.

She rubs her knuckles a bit, hitting Copperneck's face a few times, the guy must have a solid jaw. Still, with the sleeves torn off, she's definitely showing signs of training in self defense.

Is she not hitting Copperneck while he's unconscious?

GM Chyro wrote:

She rubs her knuckles a bit, hitting Copperneck's face a few times, the guy must have a solid jaw. Still, with the sleeves torn off, she's definitely showing signs of training in self defense.

Is she not hitting Copperneck while he's unconscious?

Oh, that. No, that was her rubbing her knuckles after having hit him a few times in combat. :) The guy's got a solid jaw.

Oh, that. No, that was her rubbing her knuckles after having hit him a few times in combat. :) The guy's got a solid jaw.

Gah, English is too literal sometimes. Alright, Strom just ties the guys up without all the internal monologue.

Astella helps tie everyone up.

For the record, Astella is totally okay if Copperneck dies, or gets punched several more times.

Severa nods to Daniel's response then passes a final comment "Interesting use of the lost to refer to criminals. I'll have to ask more about your views at a more convenient time." She assists in tying up the criminals, though she is far from strong enough to tie tight knots.

Astella helps tie everyone up.

For the record, Astella is totally okay if Copperneck dies, or gets punched several more times.

Good...good...

When Lady Greenbriar returns, calmed down, she nods in appreciation.
"He will recover, thankfully."

In the meantime, you had firmly restrained Copperneck and the surviving members of his crew, of which the cleric is the only one awake.

She looks at you all. "I have questions of my own, but are there any matters you are interested in hearing? You have your own pressing matters to attend to, i am aware, but topics you may find useful in the future."

=================================

For the purpose of the 'group interview', (no need if you don't want to) everyone can come up with a question, and make a social roll with it. If he answers the question, if his DC is met, everyone can make a sense motive roll to the response. Of note, he's a hardened criminal. Due to that, his attitude won't shift so easily, and he has a decent read on loyalties among his men. If you'd like to employ some creative means to back up a question, roll a d6 with it. On a 5 or 6, that roll gets a +2 circumstance bonus.

Strom figures the others know more than he does already and he won't slow things down with his basic questions. Nothing from Strom.

Severa considers that Ambassador Elstar may be interested in knowing more about what is going on here so she decides to contribute to the interrogation as much as she can, given her limited background information. During the interrogation, she steps up to Copperneck and speaks in a low tone "These polite folks don't know it but your employer sent me to make sure you failed. Cold-hearted and disloyal. But I work for hire. If you can make it worth my while and give me some tips on setting up your boss, I'll see that backstabber take the fall for this. I won't guarantee to spring you but it will certainly take some of the heat and attention off of you."

Linguistics to tell a lie: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Does it count as creative?: 1d6 ⇒ 1Nope.

In case it's unclear, the whole point of the complicated lie is to get Copperneck to tell me more about his boss.

Before she starts talking, Astella gives Daniel a big wink in a position where the prisoner can't see it, but the party and Lady G can. (She mostly actually feels this way, but the bluff part is that she would never actually kill him, out of combat at least.)

Then she turns toward the prisoner and says

No offense, Lady Greenbriar, but he tried to kill all of us, and mocked us as he was doing it. I have zero confidence that he won't do exactly the same again if we let him go, and I doubt he is going to tell us anything.

If he doesn't volunteer information on his own... I vote just finish him off.

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

The purpose is to see if he will volunteer/bargain to ensure he is alive to walk out of here.

At Severa's initial attempt at sowing discord, Copperneck chuckles, which grows audibly, not yet laughing.

"Oh lass, tha' is the mos' ridiculous attemp' i've heard in a long time. Me and the boss are on excellen' terms. This be a case of bad luck, such is life. Besides, he wouldn' employ or hire any of ye sellswords. Merely have a look around yerselves at me crew. I would know who does and who doesn' work fer him. If not by name, i would by face."

To Astella's bluff, he does not really displaying a sign of being nervous.

Severa shrugs. "Alright then. I'll stick with my current contract happily enough." Inwardly, she shrugs. It was worth an attempt.

Feel free to make checks for Brunhild-bot and Estelle-bot.

Neither of them are high diplomacy characters, but okay. They both ask "why" ... why he did what he did. Seems like the boy was just trying to take over, but maybe manipulated for some additional reason.

Diplomacy Brunhild-bot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Diplomacy Estelle-bot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10